Nursing Mission, Vision, and Philosophy

The mission of the IPFW Department of Nursing is to improve human health and quality of life through nursing practice, scholarship, and service.

Vision

The IPFW Department of Nursing will be recognized for its distinctive programs of excellence in undergraduate and graduate nursing.

Values

IPFW values integrity, caring, engagement, inclusiveness, and maximizing human potential. To realize these values, the department embraces professional growth and participation in opportunities that serve the profession, university, and the larger community.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the department is grounded in an awareness of the rapidly changing healthcare environment and the idea that learning is a life-long process which enables individuals to think critically in the appraisal and application of knowledge, skills, and values as they relate to self, others, and the environment.

Health, or optimum adaptation is achieved through equilibrium of physical, psychological, social, cultural, developmental and spiritual components. Perceptions of health and health goals are determined within a socio-cultural context and are influenced by knowledge, experiences and values.

Nursing is an interpersonal process through which the nurse influences people toward understanding, attaining, maintaining, or regaining optimal health. Holistic and compassionate nursing practice incorporates knowledge and theory from nursing science, physical sciences, psychological and social sciences, humanities and the arts to understand and address human needs. Nurses collaborate with other healthcare providers to promote optimal wellbeing. Therefore, nurses must be knowledgeable about contemporary practice issues and assume an active leadership role in promoting health and influencing delivery of care.